Agni, the broad and gracious lord of order, was invoked to enter the clarified butter, sanctified with the call of “svāhā.” With the radiant rays of Sūrya, the priests strove to offer the central oblation among those born together, seeking perfection in the sacred rite. The offering was set forth by the will of Savitṛ, the inspirer, by the speech of Sarasvatī, by the forms of Tvaṣṭṛ, by the herds of Pūṣan, by the might of Indra, by the wisdom of Bṛhaspati, by the greatness of Brahman, by the strength of Varuṇa, by the brilliance of Agni, by Soma the king, by Viṣṇu, and by the mysterious tenth deity. The ritual fire was prepared for the Aśvins, for Sarasvatī, and for Indra, the well-woven. Vāyu, the wind, was purified by the purifier, and Soma flowed well, yoked as Indra’s companion. In due order, as was fitting, the people distributed barley and gifts, preparing food for those who, seated on the sacred grass, offered praise and sacrifice. The offerings were made for the Aśvins, for Sarasvatī, and for Indra, the well-woven. In times past, together with the Aśvins, the gods drank surā with Namuci the Asura. The shining Aśvins, ever-drinking, supported Indra in the rites. Like loving parents protecting their son, the Aśvins shielded Indra with their skills and remedies. When Indra, the mighty one, drank the surā with the Śacīs, Sarasvatī, the generous one, praised him. Harnessing the first thought for truth, Savitṛ impelled understanding. Having kindled the light of Agni, he brought it upon the earth. With a yoked mind, the people sought the impulse of god Savitṛ, the power that leads to heaven. Savitṛ, joined with the gods, ascended to heaven by inspired thought; may this great light inspire all to action. The sages harnessed their minds and thoughts, the wise among the wise, the great seer. He established the sacrificial fires, knowing the rites, and the vast praise of Savitṛ surrounded him. With reverence, the ancient prayer was yoked; the hymn was sent forth like a chariot on its path. All sons of immortality, dwelling in the divine abodes, were called to listen. After Savitṛ’s departure, the other gods followed by his might and greatness. He who measured out the earthly realms, Savitṛ, established the regions by his greatness. The prayer rose: “O god Savitṛ, inspire this sacrifice and its lord for good fortune. May the celestial Gandharva, knower of signs, purify our inspiration; may the lord of speech sweeten our words. Lead our sacrifice, O Savitṛ, to the divine, to friendship, to victory in assembly, to wealth, and to heaven. Strengthen our hymn with the Gāyatrī, the Rathantara, the great Gāyatrī measure—svāhā.” By the impulse of Savitṛ, by the arms of the Aśvins, by the hands of Pūṣan, the sacred fire was placed with the Gāyatrī metre, O Angiras, from the seat of earth. The purifying Agni was brought forth with the Triṣṭubh metre. The cloud, the woman, was invoked to help kindle Agni from the seat, with the Jagatī metre. Placing the golden cloud in his hand, Savitṛ bore it; drawing forth Agni’s light, he brought it up from the earth with the Anuṣṭubh metre. Swiftly, the sacred one moved toward the prize, following the best course: his highest birth in heaven, his navel in the midspace, his womb on earth. The mighty ones, rich in gifts, yoked the ass in the rite, bearing Agni, the bringer of blessings. In every union and contest, the most powerful was called upon as a friend for Indra’s aid. Rudra’s lord of hosts was invoked to come forward, turning aside misfortune, bringing joy, traversing the wide midspace. With Pūṣan as ally, he made the herds safe, granting well-being and fearlessness. From the seat of earth, the purifying Agni was brought forth by Angiras, again and again, until he was obtained. Agni, knower of all births, followed the dawns at their forefront, first through the days. He extended the many rays of the sun and stretched out heaven and earth. Swiftly he traveled the path, shaking off hostilities, desiring to be seen in the great seat with his eye. Upon the earth, the swift one sought Agni with his radiance, asking where he might be found and dug up. Heaven was his back, earth his seat, midspace his self, and the ocean his womb; manifest in vision, he stood firm against all attackers. For great good fortune, the giver of wealth stepped forth from this seat; the people, hoping for good counsel, dug for Agni in earth’s lap. Nearby, the giver of wealth, the swift one, stood upon the well-made earth; from there, Agni with a beautiful face was to be dug out, ascending by his own power to the highest heaven. With mind and ghee, the priests approached Agni, who pervades all worlds—vast, spreading, strong, abundant in food, eager, and shining. From every side, they approached him, praying he accept with a mind free from harm. Agni, radiant and youthful, ever growing, desired in form, was touched with reverence. As lord of strength, Agni encompassed the offerings and bestowed treasures upon the worshipper. Around Agni, the city was placed—the wise, the mighty, day by day—unyielding, slayer of breakers. Agni was recognized as coming from the heavens, the swiftest, from the waters, the stones, the woods, and the plants; born pure among men, lord of men. By the impulse of Savitṛ, the arms of the Aśvins, the hands of Pūṣan, from the seat of earth, Agni, rich in offerings, of the Angirases, was dug up—radiant, with beautiful face, shining with unceasing light, auspicious for the people, not harming, from the seat of earth. He was the back of the waters, the womb of Agni, swelling about the ocean. Growing great, he came forth in the lotus, by the measure of heaven, spread wide in expanse. He was shelter and armor, unbroken, abundant, both; with spreading radiance, Agni gathered his goods, ever rich in offerings. With united dwellings, knowing the light, harmonious in strength and self, Agni was borne within, ever radiant. He was rich in offerings, bearer of all; Atharvan first churned him out from the lotus, the summit of all that moves. The seer Dadhyanc, son of Atharvan, kindled this very Agni—the slayer of Vritra, destroyer of fortresses. Likewise, the bull Pathya kindled him, the slayer of foes, the winner of wealth in every battle. Thus, the sacred story of Agni’s birth, invocation, and praise unfolds, woven with the deeds of gods and seers, the harmony of the sacrifice, and the blessings bestowed upon the world.